Electric signal system for railways.



PATENTED MAY 9 A. P. RIGKMIRE. ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

No. 789,171. PATENTED MAY 9, 1905. A. P. RIOKMIRE.

ELEGTRIG- SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR RAILWAYS.

I APPLICATION FILED AUG.11, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

w\ z [/I/ 0 wlwfi g 5/ PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

A. P. RIGKMIRE. ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR RAILWAYS.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3- awmzwtoz [m FEM/kw 1m No. 789,171. PATENTED MAY 9, 1905.

A. P. RIGKMIRE.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR BAILWAYS. 'APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 11, 1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

llllil woawto'c UNITED STATES Patented May 9, 1905.

ARA P. RICKMIRE, OF RHINELANDER, WISCONSIN.

ELECTRIC SIGNAL SYSTEM FOR RAILWAYS- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 789,171, dated May 9, 1905.

Application filed August 11, 1904. Serial No. 220,406.

T 0 all whmn it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARA P. RIoKMIRE, a citi- Zen of the United States, residing at Rhinelander, in the county of Oneida and State of Wisconsin, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electric Signal Systems for Railways; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to improvements in electric signaling systems for railways.

One object of my invention is to provide a simple and eflicient signal system of this character which will prevent head-on and rear-end collisions and also prevent running into open switches.

Another object of my invention is to provide a signal system of this character for rail way-crossings in which two signals or sets of signals will be operated consecutively, the

first to warn the engineer or motorman on an approaching train or car that another train or car upon a cross-track is within a predetermined distance of the crossing and the second to warn him that the derailing switch or device on his track is open, so that should he disregard the warning and attempt to cross in front of the approaching train or car his own train or car would be derailed to prevent a collision with said approaching train or car.

With these and other objects in view the invention consists of certain novel features of construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, as will be more fully described, and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of a single-track railway equipped with my improved signal system, the parts being in their normal position. Fig. 2 is a view similar to Fig. 1, the parts being set to indicate danger. Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the application of my invention to a crossing of two single-track-railway lines. Fig. t is a diagrammatic view of a crossing of a single and a double track railway, showing the latter provided with derailing devices and also showlng two sets of consecutively-operating signals, the latter of which indicates the operation of said derailing devices. Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4, illustrating the disposition of the signals and the electric connections for the crossing of two double-track-railway lines.

Referring more particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a portion of a single-line-railway track cornprising a series of sections or blocks A B C, which are insulated from each other in any suitable manner, as indicated at a. The abutting ends of the track-rails in each of said sections are bonded or otherwise electrically connected, so that said track-rails will form good electrical conductors. As shown, one end of each of the track-rails 2 and 3 of the section B is connected to an electric generator b, preferably in the form of an electrical battery, by suitable electricalconductors 5. The opposite ends of said track-rails 2 and 3 are connected by suitable electrical conductors 6 with two groups of signals 7. Said groups are disposed along and upon opposite sides of the two track-sections A and C, which join the section or block B. Any number of said signals 7 may be employed and they may be disposed at any suitable distance apart; but I preferably provide three in each group and locate them at the ends and center of each of the sections, as shown. The said signals may be of any desired form; but they preferably comprise a vertical post 8, upon the upper end of which a semaphore 9 is mounted. The semaphore is of wellknown construction, comprising a swinging arm 10, upon one end of which are two target-openings 11 and 12, which are adapted to be moved into alinement with a suitable lamp 13, mounted upon the post 8. The targetopening 12 is covered with green glass and is adapted to aline with the lamp when the semaphore-arm is in its lowered position. The other target-opening, 11, is covered with red glass and is so disposed as to aline with the lamp when the semaphore-arm is in its elevated position. The semaphore may be operated by an electromagnet, an electric motor, or any other suitable mechanism, and in its normal position its arm hangs downwardly,

so that the green target-opening alines with the lamp. The lamps and semaphores of the signals in each group are so disposed that the signals may be seen from but one side of the signal-post, as indicated by the arrows 14: in Figs. 1 and 2. In this way the engineer or motorman will always get his signals or warning from one side of the track regardless of When the direction in which he is going. the signals are operated by electroinagnets, the construction is such that whenever the track is clear the electromagnet will attract their armatures and hold the semaphore-arms in their lowered position, causing a green light to appear. Whenever the train or acar enters the section B, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 2, it will through its wheels and their axles short-circuit or cut out the signals, and thereby deenergize the electromagnets which operate the semaphores. The semaphore-arms will then swing upwardly to their elevated position and cause the red glass to cover the lamps to indicate danger.

While in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings I have shown and described the signals and electrical connections for but one section or block of a single track-namely, the section B-it will be understood that the sections A and C and all the other sections of the track, whether single or double, are provided with similar signals and electrical connection. In thesection A, I have shown a side track D, which connects with said section by a well-known form of switch, the point 15 of which is connected with one side of the track-rail by an electrical conductor 16 and carries an electrical contactplate 17, which when the switch-point is in its closed position engages a fixed electrical contact-point 18, which is in electrical communication with the other side or portion of said track-rail, as shown at 19. By this construction the electrical circuit through the section A will be complete when the switch is in its closed position; but whenever the switch is moved to its open position the electrical contact-points 17 and 18 will be separated to break said circuit and cause the signals to be operated. Instead of the electrical switch formed by the electrical contacts 17 and 18 being constructed as shown it will be understood that any suitable form of switch may be employed.

In Fig. 3 of the drawings I have shown the central section B crossed by a cross-track E. As shown, the divided portions of the rails 2 and 3 are connected by suitable electrical conductors 20 to complete the circuit through said track-rails, and along the cross-track E, upon each side of said section B, are two or more signals 7 Said signals 7 are disposed upon opposite sides of the cross-track E and are in electrical communication with the signals 7 by means of suitable electrical conductors 21.

The operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 3 is similar to that of the apparatus previously described. The signals 7 being in circuit with the signals 7 will be operated simultaneously with the latter. Itwill be understood that the other section, B', in which the crossing is located, may be ofany suitable length and that the signals 7 and 7 may be placed at any suitable distance apart.

Referring now to Fig. 4 of the drawings, in which I have shown a single-track steam-road F crossed by adouble-track electric road consisting of parallel tracks G and H, the numerals 26 27 denote three consecutive sections or blocks of the steam-railway track F, the intermediate section 26 being crossed by said tracks G and H of the electrical railway. As in the construction previously described the sections of the track A are separated or insulated from each other, and in order that the interrupted portions of the track-rails of the intermediate section 26 may form continuous electrical conductors the same are connected by suitable electrical connections 28. Arranged along the electric road upon opposite sides of the crossing, and preferably between its two tracks, are two sets of signals 29 and 30, which are similar in construction to the signals 7, previously described, although any other suitable form of signaling device may be substituted. Said signals are adapted to be operated consecutively or successively, the former or preliminary signal 29 being in closed circuit with the sections 25 and 27 ot' the trackA and the latter or subsequently-operated signals 30 being in closed circuit with the section 26 and derailing devices 31, located in the tracks G and H. Theclosed circuitof the signal 29 comprises an electrical conductor 32, which connects the signals 29 upon opposite sides of the crossing, conductors 33, which connect said signals and the outer ends of the track-rails of the section 25, conductors 34:, which connect the inner ends of the track-rails of the two sections 25 and 27, and conductors 35, which connect the outer ends of the track-rails and the section 27 to the opposite poles of an electrical generator or battery 36. It will be seen that when a train or car enters either of the sections 25 or 27 the signals 29 will be short-circuited, and consequently operated to warn the engineer or motorman on an approaching car or train on either of the tracks G or H of the approach of a train or car upon the track E.

The derailing devices 31 may be of any suitable construction, but, as shown, each comprises a switch-point 37, mounted to swing in wardly and away from an outwardly-curved portion 38 of one of the track-rails 39 of the tracks Grand H. Said point 37 is adapted to be forced inwardly to open the derailing device by a spring 40, and it is normally held inits closed position, as shown in the drawings, by the engagement of a link 41 with the hooked end 42 of the armature 13 of an electromagnet 4:4:- Said link 41 is mounted to slide and swing in a bearing 45 and a suitable slot or opening formed in the curved portion 38 of ,hook 42 of the armature 43.

the track-rail 39. One of its ends is pivotally connected to the point 37 and its opposite end formed with a hook adapted to engage said Said electromagnet 44 is included in the closed circuit in which said section 26 is included, and when said armature 43 is in its attracted position the switch-point is held in its closed position against the tension of the spring 40. As soon as said circuit is broken and the magnet 44 is deenergized its armature will drop to release the link 41, permitting the spring 40 to force the switch-point 37 inwardly to open the derailing device. Instead of operating the derailing device, as shown and described, I may use an electric motor or any other suitable means. The closed circuit which includes said derailing devices comprises electrical conductors 45, connecting the poles of an electrical generator or battery 46 to the ends of the track-rails of a section 26 upon one side of the crossing, electrical conductors 47 and 48, connecting the opposite ends of said track-rails, respectively, to one of the derailing devices 31 and one of the signals 30, and conductors 49, 50, and '51 connecting said derailing devices and signals. It will be seen that when a train or car enters the section 26 the signals 30 and derailing devices 31 will be cut out or short-circuited to cause them to be operated, the signals warning the engineer on an approaching train or car that a train or car is upon the section 26 and that the derailing device 31 upon his track is in its open position and that should he attempt to cross in front of the approaching train or car his own train or car will be thrown off of its track by said device 31.

The operation and advantages of the apparatus just described Will be readily understood from the foregoing description. It will be seen that the signals 29 will be first operated to Warn the engineer or motorman of the approach of a train or car upon one of the sections 25 or 27 and that the signals 30 and derailing devices 31 will be subsequently operated when the train or car enters the section 26.

In Fig. 5 of the drawings I have illustrated the two sets of signals 29 and 30 and the derailing devices 31 applied to the crossing of two double-track lines with the proper electrical connections, which may be readily traced upon reference to the description of Fig. 4. The construction and operation of the apparatus shown in Fig. 5 is very similar to that of the apparatus shown in Fig. 4, and a further description is deemed unnecessary.

While I have shown and described some of the preferred embodiments of my invention, it will be understood thatI do not wish to be limited to the precise construction and connection of the parts herein set forth, since various changes in the form, proportion, and the minor details of construction may be resorted to without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. An electric railway signal system comprising a track-block, a generator, and signals, said track-block and signals being in electrical connection and normally charged by the generator, the signals being disposed by adjacent track-blocks, and train-operated means cooperative with the conductors of the first-named block to short-circuit the signals.

2. In an electric signal system for railways, the combination of a track consisting of separate sections or blocks, an electric generator in circuit with the track-rails at one end of each of said sections, series of signals in circuit with the opposite ends of the track-rails in each of said sections, a side track leading into one of said track-sections, a switch between said side track and said track-section, the point of said switch being in circuit with one part of one of the track-rails of said tracksection, an electrical contact-point upon said switch-point, and a fixed electrical contactpoint in circuit with the other part of the track-rail of said track-section and adapted to be engaged by the contact-point upon said switch-point when said switch is in its closed position, substantially as described.

3. In an electric signal system for railways, the combination of a track consisting of separate sections or blocks, an electric generator in circuit with the track-rails at one end of each' of said sections, a cross-track in one of said sections, electrical connections between the interrupted track-rails of said section, and signals disposed along the adjacent sections of both the main and cross tracks and in circuit with the opposite ends of the track-rails of said section in which said cross-track is located, substantially as described.

4."In an electric signal system for railways, the combination of a track consisting of separate sections or blocks, electric batteries in circuit with the track-rails at one end of each of said sections, series of signals in circuit with the opposite ends of the track-rails in each of said sections, the signals of each section being disposed along the opposite sides of two adjacent sections, a cross-track in one of said sections, electrical connections between the interrupted track-rails of said section, and signals upon the opposite sides of said cross-track and upon each side of said section, and electrical connections between the signals of said cross-track and the signals of said section, substantially as described.

5. In an electric signal system for railways, the combination with a main track and a crosstrack comprising separate sections or blocks, of a derailing device in said main track, signals along said main track, an electric generator, and a normally closed circuit including the track-rails of the section of said crosstrack in which said main line is located, said generator, said signals, and said derailing device, whereby when said circuit is open said signals and derailing device will be operated, substantially as described.

'6. In an electric signal system for railways, the combination of a track consisting of separate sections or blocks, a cross-track in one of said sections, electrical connections between the interrupted portions of said sections, an electric generator in circuit with one of the ends of the track-rails of said section, a derailing device in said cross-track, and signals arranged along said cross-track upon each side of said section and in circuit with said derailing devices and the opposite ends of the track-rails of said section, substantially as described.

7. In an electric signal system for railways, the combination of a track consisting of sepa rate sections or blocks, a cross-track in one of said sections, electrical connections between the interrupted portions of said section, an electric generator in circuit with one of the ends of the track-rails of said section, a derailing device in said cross-track, signals arranged along said cross-track and in circuit with said derailing device and the opposite ends of the track-rails of said section, electrical connections between the inner ends of the track-rails of the two abutting or adjoining sections, an electric generator in circuit with the outer ends of the track-rails of one of said adjoining or abutting sections, and'a second series of signals arranged along said cross-track and in circuit with the outer ends of the track-rails of the other of said adjoin ing or abutting sections, substantially as described.

8. In an electric signal system for railways, the combination with a track consisting of separate sections or blocks and a cross-track in one of said sections, of a derailing device in said cross-track and two sets of signals arranged along said cross-track, one set being in circuit with the track-rails of the two sections adjacent to said section crossed by said cross-track, the other set together with said derailing device being in circuit with the track-rails of said section crossed by said cross-track, substantially as described.

9. In an electric signal system for railways, the combination with tracks consisting of separate sections or blocks and cross-tracks in two of said sections or blocks, of electricallycontrolled derailing devices in said crosstracks and two sets of signals arranged along said cross-tracks upon opposite sides of said sectional tracks, one of said sets being in closed circuit with two of the sections of said sectional tracks adjacent to said sections crossed by said cross-tracks, and the other set together with said derailing devices being in closed circuit with said sections crossed by said crossed tracks, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ARA P. RICKMIRE.

Witnesses:

' D. H. WALKER,

WILLIAM (J. ORR. 

